Category: Scripture Notes
-
Doctrine vs Arms
The difference in the effectiveness of preaching righteousness compared to using military power is obvious. Moroni was able to defend and retake their land but it only made the Lamanites careful or timid, not friendly. Moronihah was able to retake half the land that had been lost but no more. On the other hand, the…
-
Who chose Cezoram?
I had always assumed that when Nephi yielded up the judgement seat to Cezoram it was he who chose his replacement, like when Alma choose Nephihah. Tonight I considered other alternatives. Nephi might have called for an election or vote of confidence as he was finding it hard to govern a wicked people. Alternatively the…
-
They had become weak
Eventually the Nephites recognized that their wickedness had made them week like the Lamanites and that they had lost any protection from the Lord. I look at the events this year and it prices the same thing about the United States. We are no better than any other country and in many ways worse than…
-
Divisions among the people
Even though they weren’t at war with the Lamanites the Nephites found themselves with increasing divisions. Eventually many moved to the land northward. That would reduce the pressure but it wouldn’t solve the fundamental problems of pride that were driving the division. That’s where we are in this country – we have great divisions and…
-
Let down the guard
The Nephites relaxed their vigilance, thinking that their outer cities were fully guarded so that the defenses in the heart of their land were too soft to withstand the full Lamanite army. This led to get initial losses but Moroni hah was able to turn that into a final victory.
-
Was Teancum careless?
I wonder if, in his anger, Teancum was careless when he reprised his plan to kill the Nephite dissenter who was currently serving as king of the Lamanites and perpetrator of the war against the Nephites.
-
Momentum
When Moroni came to Pahoran turned the tide of the war because they gained the momentum that had been eluding them up to that point.
-
Time to be aggressive
When Moroni sees the fall of Nephihah it is the last straw for him. He takes it upon himself to take an aggressive stance against those who are comfortable in their ease. That is another approach to addressing extreme needs. It is the position I must take regarding the level of my compensation. It might…
-
Bold (risky) moves
I wonder if I should be like Helaman and the armies he commanded at the end of the war who, when they felt there was no more help available, took it upon themselves to pursue a build (some might say foolhardy) plan to retake their final city. I could as easily ask if I have…
-
Firm and undaunted
I used to think that I was like the sons of Helaman – obedient and full of faith – but I much more identify with the other Nephite armies who had moments of doubt and were beaten down from time to time that they needed someone to step in and save then from destruction.